Suspected scaphoid fracture — wrist advice
How to care for your wrist, and why your follow-up appointment matters.
You may have broken your scaphoid — a small bone on the thumb side of your wrist. These breaks often do not show on the first x-ray, so we treat your wrist as if it is broken and arrange a review to be safe.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
These are uncommon, but need an ambulance.
- Severe worsening pain that strong pain relief does not touch
- Fingers that are pale, blue or cold and do not improve when you raise the hand
- You cannot get to hospital safely
Contact the plaster room, the ED, or the service named above.
- Fingers that turn numb, pale, cold or very swollen
- You cannot move your fingers
- Pain that keeps getting worse and will not settle
- The splint or cast feels too tight, even after raising your hand
- Pins and needles that do not go away
- Skin around the splint breaks down or feels very sore
A scaphoid fracture often does not show on the first X-ray. That is why you have been treated as though it is broken, even if the X-ray looked normal. You will be asked to come back for reassessment, and you may need a repeat X-ray or a scan. The timing and type of scan differ between hospitals — follow the appointment and instructions given to you in Your care details above rather than any general timescale. Keep the appointment even if the wrist feels completely better.
Caring for it
- Wear the splint or cast you were given at all times, as advised.
- Keep your fingers and thumb moving to avoid stiffness.
- Raise your hand when resting to reduce swelling.
- Keep the splint or cast dry.
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain if you can take them.
- Do not drive if the splint stops you controlling the car safely.
Why the follow-up matters
A scaphoid fracture can be hard to see at first and, if missed, may not heal properly. So it is important to keep your follow-up appointment, even if the wrist feels better — you will usually have another x-ray or a scan in about 1–2 weeks to check.